Thanks James
That;s the way I see it. Clearly many Americans fear that if they give an inch the government takes a mile. I know I have seen some changes and proposals here too that many, including myself, saw as a start with more to come. I can understand that mindset but it seems SO ingrained into so many US minds that one has to wonder if they trust government at all or if they feel its a crooked operation that needs to be either fixed by noncompliance or replaced entirely.
I think again the whole left vs right issue comes into play. the right will oppose Obama, no matter what, no matter how valid and no matter the reasons. He's left and must be opposed without consideration. If a right wing president were in office, I think it might play out similar though. Either he would be a visionary and everyone accepted change but it is more likely they'd see him a s flip-flopper or a democrat in a republican's clothing.
I know some actually feel that there should be no government at all, free reign for all etc. But I think that's seen as pretty radical by most.
I honestly don't see the US government trying to take it to great lengths, even if people agreed to more stringent checks and longer wait times. the ONLY benefit I see from that is reduced, random killing sprees and fewer guns landing in irresponsible hands.
Granted, it won't stop all gun violence nor is it be proposed to do so, but ANY life saved is still one life saved. As I said before, how many lives saved does it need to be deemed a worthy solution, 1, 15, 50?
The fear of a slippery slope is somewhat valid, if the government has been proven to do so in the past, but I honestly don't see it being taken to that extreme. Any elected leader in power at such a time would never see reelection, it just wouldn't make sense politically either.
I think it's the common fear, uncertainty and doubt.
Fear of change. Uncertainty on how it will take effect and who it will effect. Doubt toward the effectiveness of dramatic change or the seemingly inevitable slippery slope.
I don't see any of those reasons as a valid excuse to not save more lives; even if just a few, it's a valid change.
